Powder-drying apparatus.



F. L. CASKEY.

POWDER DRYING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR; 14. I91?- 1 262 4489 Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I] o G I v I grime micro 47 2 firm we 1 F. L CASKEY POWDER DRYINGAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION EILED MAR. 14,1917. 1,262,448., Patented Apr. 9,1918; 2 SHEETS-S HEET 2.

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FRANK L. CASKEY, or :eurrano. new YORK.

POWDER-DRYING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 14, 19-17.

To all whom it may-concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK. I1. CAsKnina citizen of the United States, and resident of Buffalmvin the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Powder-Drying Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference,- generally, to explosives and relates,-more particularly, to'apparatus employed in the manufacture ofgun powder;

The invention has for its dominant object to provide a powder drying; apparatus whereby, powder can be thoroughly and evenly dried without danger of explosion, due to overheated retort chambers. uneven heating of the retort chambers, or by undue admixtures of all with the gases evolved from the mass or bulk of powder being; dried.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for evenly applying the heat to the retort chamber of the apparatus, in order that the entire bulk of powder will beevenly dried in a minimum period of time.

A further object of the invention isf 'to provide closure means forthe intake and discharge portionsofthe retort chamber, whereby, air will be positively prevented from entering the same and liability of the escape of combustible gases therefrom eliminated.

It is also an object of the invention. to provide novel means for locking the closure means securely in closed position, the means for locking the discharge closure means be ing capable of adjustment to permit a variable discharge of the dried powder from" the retort chamber,

Furthermore, it is an object of my invention to provide means for cooling the retort chamber and housing subsequent to thedryingprocess and to preventthe entrance of air thereinto when closed.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision: of means for exhausting liquid matter from the retort chamber during the powder-dryingprocess but preventing the passage of "air thereinto.

Among other aims and objects of theinvention may be recited, the provision of an apparatus of thecharacter mentioned with a view to compactness, and in which the number of parts are comparatively few, the

Specification of Letters Patentl Patented am. more;

Serial'lio. 154,746.

construction simple, the cost of production small, and efficiency and operation high.

The lnvention conslst's, furthermore, 1n

the-novel arrangements and combinations of the parts of the apparatus as well as inthe details of the construction of the same, all of which will be more fully described in the following specification, and then finally embodied inthe clauses of the claim, which are appended to this specification and which form an essential part of the same.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure ,1 is a vertical section through my improved drying apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section therethrough Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section through the intake closure means of the retort chamber; and V Fig. 4c is a perspective in detail of the same.

Similar characters of reference are em ployed in allof the above described views to indicate" corresponding: parts.

Referring now more specifically to the several figures of the said drawings, there is provided a housing 1, formed of sheet metal or other suitable material and having the bottom thereoftapered as atQ, one side of the same being hingedly mounted as at 3' to permit the same to be swung outwardly, thus, allowing the inflow of air thereinto for a purpose whiclrwill be subsequently apparent. Openings are formed within the top and bottom portions ofthe housing 1 while a flue l is engaged with the "said up per portion andextends to a point distant therefrom, whereby, such fumes as may ac cumulate therein may be" exhausted will by an-operator by adjusting the hand ac tuated damper 5 arranged therein.

A plurality of parallel I-beams 6 extend over the top of the housing 1 and are supported at suitable intervals by pillars or other like means. Brackets 7 having the extremities thereof flanged are engaged with the lower portions of thesaid I-beams 6 while the remaining extremities of the same are engaged with the'adjacent top= por"- tions of the housing 1 by passing rivets or other similar fastening devices through the ing 9, and openings being formed in the flooring directly over the intake portion or opening of the drying apparatus and being adapted to be normally closed with a suitable door 10. Tracks 11 are supported by the flooring 9 and serve as ways for directing cars or other vehicles containin the crude explosive matter to positions for fa cilitating the discharging of their loads into the drying apparatus.

A retort chamber 12 is positioned within. the housing 1 and as will be noted, is of a size to permit the positioning of the same within the said housing in spaced apart relation thereto. Tie retort chamber is provided with a tapered bottom 13 having a discharge opening formed concentrically thereof, with which there is engaged a discharge pipe 14, the upper extremity of the same being flanged as at 15 to permit the connecting of the same to the adjacent portions of the tapered bottom 13, while the lower extremity of the same is screw threaded, whereby a valve element, which will be subsequently described will be turned into engagement therewith. An opening is also formed concentrically of the top portion of the retort chamber 12 and has an intake pipe 16 communicating therewith, that portion of the pipe 16 adjacent the same being flanged as at 17 whereby the same may be connected to the adjacent portion of the heat chamber top by clamping rivets or other suitable fastening devices therethrough. A collar 18 is formed upon the intake pipe 16 and is adapted to be normally engaged with a depending flange 19 formed upon that portion of the housing top bordering the opening through which the said intake pipe passes. As will be noted, the upper extremity of the intake pipe 16 extends to a point in proximity of the flooring 9 whereat it is screw threaded and has turned into engagement therewith, one element of a valve construction which will be also subsequently described. Depending bracket 20 having portions of the same flanged are engaged with the inner surface of the housing top and are extended into engagement with the sides of the retort chamber 12 whereto they are secured by suitable devices. As will be understood, these brackets 20 serve as means for rigidly supportin the retort chamber 12 within the housing 1.

A heat distributing pipe 21 is coiled about the side walls of the retort chamber 12 and is supported at intervals about the same through the medium of vertically disposed web portions 22 which may be and preferably are formed integral with the said retort chamber side walls. A series of apertures are formed in the web portions 22 and receive therethrough the various convolutions of the heat distributing pipe 21, thus, supporting the same in proper position with incense As means for closing the outer or free ex- I tremity oi the intake pipe 16, I provide a pair of disk like elements 26 and 27, forming upon the latter annular channels 28, one of which is adapted to snugly receive a rubber packing therein, while the other is filled with i1 and receive a steel packing ring therein, the packing being carried by the element 26, thus, serving as means for efiiciently preventing the passage of air between the adjacent faces or". the engaging elements into the intake pipe 16. To permit the swinging of the upper element 27 to open position, an arm 29 is engaged with the same and has the remaining end of the same pivotally mounted between apertured ears 30 secured to the lower element 26. By this means, filling of the retort chamber with the crude explosive matter is facilitated. Clamping arms 31 and 32 are pivotally engaged with the element 26 as at 33, while the arm 31 has its free extremity pivotally engaged with a catch 34- and the free extremity of the clamping arm 32 detachably engaged with the said catch 3%. A handle 35 is afixed to the catch 34 whereby the same may be turned into and out of locking positions, the said catch being loosely received within a suitable guide pocket 86 formed upon the upper base of the element 27. Thus, by moving the catch 8 1 to the position shown in Fig. 4, the element 26 will be forced into engagement with the element 27, thus, causing interlocking of the rib and channeled portions and preventing the passage of air therebetween. A conduit 37 is extended diagonally through the element 26 into engagement with the upper extremity of the intake pipe 16 and has interposed therein a cut of? 38, whereby, tests may be made at predetermined intervals to ascertam the progress or" the drying process.

The closure means for the discharge pine 1 1 comprises a disk like element 39 which is turned into engagement with the screw threaded lower extremities of the said pipe and has arranged in one face thereof annu lar packing rings 40, with which complementally formed channels 11 arranged upon a second disk like element 12 are adapted to be engaged when it is desired to close the said discharge pipe. The channels 4-0 are formed similar to the channels in the element 26, one of the same being filled with Lao-gees oil and serving as an efiicient seal. A screw threaded pocket is formed in the element 42 and receives therein an annular sleeve 43 having an outlet opening. ii formed in one side thereof with which a discharge chute d5 is detachably engaged. As will be noted, the sleeve 43 is of a size to permit its snug reception within the discharge pipe 14 and yet allow free sliding movement of the same therewithin. A plurality of dependingbracket arms 46 are secured at their upper extremities to the element 39 and pivotally support at their lower ends an internally threaded collar 47, which collar receives therethrough ascrew threaded shank 18 having a headed portion thereon loosely engaged with a bear ing 4921s carried upon the lower face of the element 42. A crank handle 50' is fixedly engaged with the lower or remaining extremity of the crank i8 and obviously, by rotating the same, may be elevated or iowerec with respect to the screw threaded collar L7, hence, it will impart an upward or downward movement to the lower disk like element 42 and as a consequence, will permit the opening 44 in the sleeve 43 to be partially or fully exposed, thus, regulating the flow or discharge of'the dried gun powder from the retort chamber 12.

An exhausting conduit 51 is extended into the lower portion of the annular sleeve 43 and has the mouth thereof widened and arranged below a wire mesh 52 positioned within the said sleeve 43. The remaining end of the conduit 51 communicates with a suitable waste discharge or other system of sewage and has interposed therein a valve 53, whereby the passage of matter through the same may me controlled by the operator. The exhausting conduit 51 serves as means for conveying such liquid matter as may collect within the retort chamber 12 during the drying process of the powder contained therewithin. A recess or pocket is formed in the element 39 and receives the conduit 51 therein when closed.

To permit inspection, placing, etc, of the heating coil as arranged about the retort chamber, an opening is formed within the front wall of the housing 1 and is normally closed by means of a hinged door 54, a suitable catch being provided upon the door whereby the same may be maintained in closed position.

As a means for accurately determining the intensity f the drying heat, a thermometer 55 is secured also to the front wall of the housing 1 in a position convenient to the operator.

It may be here noted, that a suitable conduit 56 having a valve or like cutoff is engaged and communicates with the retort and extends through the roof of the building in which the drying. apparatus is set up and 1s engaged with a suitable purifying means,

such as: water containing tank or" receptacle. Thus, such fumes as may be exhausted from the retort 1 Will be relieved of all combustible matter during their passage through the water, thereby, rendering the same harmless when discharged into the atmosphere.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent to workers in the art that I have provided a driving apparatus which may be advantageously used in the dryingofhigh explosives, eliminating liability of accidental explosion thereof due to excessive heating of the same during the drying process, uneven heating of the same or undue admixtures of air into:

the retort chamber. The retort chamber by reason of the arrangement of the heating coil thereabout will be evenly heated and therefore, will radiate a heat of uniform intensity to the bulk of powder contained therewithi-n, drying the same throughout its entireheight or depth. The disk like closure elements employed by me afford means. for sealing the intake and discharge portions of the retort chamber, thereby, positively preventing undue admixtures. of air and hence, obviating explosion attributable thereto.

To. fill the retort chamber 1% with the crudev explosive matter, the upper disk like closure element 27 isv swung upon its hinge o open position, whereupon, a matter containing car or vehicle is moved along the trackway 11 to a position directly over the intake pipe 16, and the contents of thecar are dumped thereinto. When the bulk of powder has been sufficiently dried, the lower disk like closure element 42' may be moved tov its open position by rotating the screw threaded shank 4:8 in a direction to cause lowering of the same, it of course being run derstood that the upper closure element 27 has been previously moved into its closed position and clamped therein by means of a novel clampingmechanism. By lowering the element 412, the opening 4a in the annular sleeve 43 may be varied in size and when the chute 4:5 isarranged adjacent the same the flow of powder therefrom may be regulated to accord with various conditions. As it becomes necessary, theelement 43 may be again moved to closed position, the discharge chute having been previously removed from its position adjacent the same. As hereinbefore stated, the conduit 51 serves to exhaust such fluid as may collect within the retort chamber during the drying process of the material therewithin, thus, expediting the drying process materially and as will be appreciated, reducing the liability of accidental explosion to minimum.

The device, although particularly adapt ed for drying high explosives may be equally aswell adapted as an apparatus for drying variousmaterials, such as conditions or preference may dictate.

Therefore, it is manifest, that the scope of the invention is not limited to any one particular application.

In furtherance of the above, I also wish it to be understood that I am aware that changes may be made in the various arrangements and combinations of parts as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of my present invention as defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combination of the devices and parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and as described in the accompanying specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the constructions of the said parts.

I claim:

L A drying apparatus, including a retort chamber having intake and discharge openings formed therein, intake and discharge pipes communicating with said openings, closure elements fixedly secured to the free extremities of said pipes, other closure elements engageable with said closure elements at times for closing the free extremities of the intake and discharge pipes, means for maintaining said second closure elements in engagement with said first closure elements, heat distributing means arranged about the retort chamber, and a housing element for said retort chamber.

2. A drying apparatus, including a retort chamber having intake and discharge pipes communicating with the top and bottom thereof, disk like elements fixedly secured to the free extremities of said pipes and having annular channels formed in certain of the faces thereof, other disk like elements movable with relation to said first disk like elements and having annular rib portions formed upon the adjacent faces thereof adapted for engagement with said channels, means for securing said second disk like element in engagement with the first disk like element, certain of said means being adjustable to permit movement of one of the second disk like elements to varying positions, heat distributing means enveloping said retort chamber, and a housing for the retort chamber.

3. A drying apparatus, including in combination with ahousing, a retort chamber having intake and discharge pipes communicating with the top and bottom thereof arranged in said housing, disk like elements having channels formed in certain of the faces thereof fixedly engaged with the free extremities of said pipe, a second disk like member having annular rib portions formed thereon hingedl'y secured to'certain of said first disk like members and adapted to be engaged therewith at times, means for clamping said second disk like member in engagement with. its respective disk like naoaaes member, another disk like member having annular ribs formed upon one base thereof adapted for engagement with the remaining disk like member, an annular sleeve having a discharge opening therein receivable Within the discharge pipes and carried by said last disk like member, screw means engaged with the said disk like member for maintaining the same in engagement with its respective first disk like member and adjusting the same to various positions, a discharge chute detachably engaged with said sleeve, and heat distributing means arranged about the retort chamber.

4-. A drying apparatus, including, in com bination with a housing, a retort chamber having intake and discharge pipes communieating with the top and bottom thereof arranged in said housing in spaced relation from the top bottom and side walls of the same, disk like elements having annular channels formed in certain of the faces thereof fixedly secured to the free extremities of said intake and discharge pipes, a second disk like element hingedly secured to one of said first disk like elements and having annular ribs thereon adapted for engagement with the channels of the first disk like member, means engageable with said second disk like member for maintaining the same 1n engagement with its respective first disk like member, an exhausting conduit communicating with the intake pipe and having cut elf means interposed therein, another disk like element having annular ribs formed upon one of the faces adapted for engagement with the channels of the remaining first disk like elements, an annular sleeve carried by said disk like element having an opening therein and slidably engaged with the discharge'pipe, screw means engaged with said last disk like element for maintaining the same in engagement with its respective first disk like member and for moving the same to various adjusted positions, a discharge chute removably engaged with the sleeve, a liquid exhausting conduit engaged with the sleeve and communicating with said discharge pipe, and a heat distributing coil engaged with the sidewalls of the retort chamber.

5. A drying apparatus, including a retort chamber having intake and discharge openings formed therein, means for normally closing said openings, heat distributing means engaged with said retort chamber, liquid exhausting means communicating with the discharge openings and having cut off means interposed therein, a screening means arranged above said liquid exhausting means and also communicating with the discharge openings, and means engaged with certain of said closure means for adjusting the same to various positions.

6. A drying apparatus, including a retort chamber having intake and discharge pipes in the top and bottom thereof, the intake and discharge pipes having intake and discharge openings therein, means for normally closing said openings, heat distributing means arranged about said retort chamber, a housing element for the retort chamber, a sleeve member having an outlet opening therein slidably mounted With said discharge pipe, and a discharge chute detachably associated With said sleeve member for a purpose specified.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

FRANK L. CASKEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

